6 Reasons to Make Las Vegas Your Next Wellness Getaway

Courtney Reilly-Larke

Infamous for gambling and memories best checked with your baggage, Las Vegas might seem like the last place to head for a wellness getaway. But we bet this desert city lends itself to heart-pumping thrills, natural beauty and relaxation more than you might think — and you know we aren’t the gambling type.

1 / 6

photo credit: shutterstock

Best hotel

It turns out that “hotel” is Vegas-speak for casino-mall-restaurant-club hybrid, and The Cosmopolitan is no exception. This hip spot has all the glam you’d expect of any hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard (casino, pool parties, restaurants), but it also makes for a great home base. Check in and grab an açai bowl at The Juice Standard before heading off to your desert playground.

Best ride

Give your eyes a break from the neon lights and head 45 minutes away to Eldorado Canyon in Nelson, NV. A guided ATV tour will take you to the historical Techatticup Gold Mine, where you’ll take in some history and scenery (cacti, galore!) while getting your adrenaline rush for the week (or the year).

Best hike

Relish the unique beauty of the desert with a guided hike (you can book one through JW Marriott) in Red Rock Canyon. With 26 trails of varying difficulty, even a novice hiker can take in the natural wonders that the canyon has to offer, including Keystone Thrust, a prominent geological fault that is estimated to be 65 million years old. You’ll find nature at its most unique: This conserved land is home to Joshua trees and wildlife like burros, antelopes, ground squirrels and bighorn sheep.

Best om

Find balance at 550 feet with a yoga session on the High Roller Observation Wheel. This one-hour session, which includes an on-board yoga teacher instructing you through headphones, takes you through downward dogs amid sweeping views of the Nevada landscape. You’ll want to “namaste” up there all day.

Best restaurant

Make your way through the Bellagio Hotel to a decidedly un-Vegas dining experience at Harvest by Roy Ellamar. The market-inspired menu keeps it local (well, as local as possible in desert terrain), often borrowing from neighbouring Cali. Start by sharing the crispy gulf shrimp with calamansi chili aioli and pickled daikon or simply opt for their generous cheese boards before moving on to the signature roast chicken with bourbon aged nuoc mam. Don’t forget to grab a cocktail — which often includes cold-pressed juice — for healthy sipping.

Best zen

Give your feet a break with a foot treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. This experience isn’t solely for your soles; they use steam towels and pressure points on your feet to flush and detoxify the whole body, followed by a lower leg massage and soothing foot mask. Make sure to arrive early to take advantage of the water spa, which includes saunas, steam rooms and therapeutic pools overlooking the strip.

Don't Miss a Day of Best Health

Subscribe to the Best Health Magazine

This site uses “cookies” for the purposes set out in our Privacy Policy. To review this information or withdraw your consent please consult the Privacy Policy. By clicking on the “X” to close this page, by browsing this page, by activating a hyperlink or continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies.xI refuse